Best institutions to study Pastoral Studies/Counseling
A program that focuses on the theory and principles of pastoral care and prepares ordained clergy to provide non-clinical pastoral counseling to individuals and groups.
105 U.S. institutions graduated 1,283 Pastoral Studies/Counseling students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 39.0701, a specialization of Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (CIP 39.07), and leads most directly to the Clergy occupation (BLS SOC 21-2011).
About Pastoral Studies/Counseling programs
A program that focuses on the theory and principles of pastoral care and prepares ordained clergy to provide non-clinical pastoral counseling to individuals and groups. Includes instruction in pastoral leadership, counseling psychology; crisis intervention; individual and group procedures; theological and spiritual counseling; pastoral care; and applications to specific types of ministry.
See also: 51.1506 - Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Pastoral Studies/Counseling program, part of the Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries field, is designed for individuals seeking to provide non-clinical pastoral counseling within various ministry contexts. This program focuses on the principles of pastoral care, preparing ordained clergy to support individuals and groups through spiritual guidance and counseling.
Students will gain essential skills in speaking, active listening, and critical thinking, alongside knowledge in philosophy, theology, and counseling techniques. Coursework typically includes pastoral leadership, crisis intervention, and theological counseling, equipping graduates to effectively lead and support their communities.
Credentials awarded
What Pastoral Studies/Counseling graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree593 graduates / yr · 57 institutions46%
- Bachelor's degree317 graduates / yr · 52 institutions25%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate97 graduates / yr · 9 institutions7.6%
- Associate's degree91 graduates / yr · 5 institutions7.1%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship59 graduates / yr · 7 institutions4.6%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years54 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.2%
- Doctor's degree - other53 graduates / yr · 5 institutions4.1%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice16 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.2%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Pastoral Studies/Counseling completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,496 |
| 2013 | 1,665 |
| 2014 | 1,663 |
| 2015 | 1,577 |
| 2016 | 1,552 |
| 2017 | 1,569 |
| 2018 | 1,537 |
| 2019 | 1,512 |
| 2020 | 1,431 |
| 2021 | 1,426 |
| 2022 | 1,374 |
| 2023 | 1,381 |
| 2024 | 1,317 |
| 2025 | 1,283 |
Top 50 institutions for Pastoral Studies/Counseling, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of St Thomas Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsMaster's | 84 | 69% | $19,546 | — |
| 2 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 83 | 65% | $28,911 | $34,083 |
| 3 | Dallas Theological Seminary Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 57 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Andrews University Berrien Springs, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 53 | 72% | $17,800 | — |
| 5 | Lancaster Bible College Lancaster, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 46 | 67% | $21,399 | $35,286 |
| 6 | Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Kansas City, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 40 | 48% | $26,572 | — |
| 7 | Valor Christian College Canal Winchester, OHPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 44% | $26,387 | $29,571 |
| 8 | George Fox University Newberg, ORPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 38 | 72% | $26,564 | — |
| 9 | Moody Bible Institute Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 37 | 62% | $24,848 | $35,426 |
| 10 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 35 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 11 | The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor's | 30 | 68% | $30,641 | — |
| 12 | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 29 | 74% | — | — |
| 13 | North Central University Minneapolis, MNPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 28 | 66% | $23,452 | $27,370 |
| 14 | Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 27 | 67% | $21,351 | $19,836 |
| 15 | Lee University Cleveland, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 26 | 63% | $18,918 | $35,189 |
| 16 | Universidad Pentecostal Mizpa Rio Piedras, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sAssociate'sBachelor's | 26 | 15% | $5,607 | — |
| 17 | Life Pacific University San Dimas, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 40% | $23,832 | $37,436 |
| 18 | Universidad Teologica del Caribe Trujillo Alto, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 39% | $11,987 | — |
| 19 | Luther Rice College & Seminary Lithonia, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | — | $3,935 | — |
| 20 | Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 20 | 57% | $18,716 | — |
| 21 | Catholic Theological Union at Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 20 | — | — | — |
| 22 | Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | 69% | $16,216 | $25,060 |
| 23 | Amridge University Montgomery, ALPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 19 | 100% | — | — |
| 24 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sPost-degree cert. | 19 | 35% | $18,316 | $35,736 |
| 25 | Southeastern University Lakeland, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | 43% | $29,915 | $35,209 |
| 26 | Oral Roberts University Tulsa, OKPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 57% | $23,543 | — |
| 27 | Northern Baptist Theological Seminary Lisle, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralDoctoral (prof.) | 16 | — | — | — |
| 28 | Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 16 | 61% | $20,903 | — |
| 29 | California Baptist University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | 62% | $26,940 | — |
| 30 | The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, KYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralDoctoral | 14 | 40% | — | — |
| 31 | Mission University Springfield, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 14 | 44% | $22,092 | — |
| 32 | Holy Apostles College and Seminary Cromwell, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 79% | $16,073 | — |
| 33 | Crown College Saint Bonifacius, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 13 | 45% | $26,706 | $26,538 |
| 34 | Family of Faith Christian University Shawnee, OKPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 13 | — | — | — |
| 35 | Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 12 | 64% | $25,239 | — |
| 36 | Southern California Seminary El Cajon, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 50% | — | — |
| 37 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 79% | $36,488 | — |
| 38 | Biola University La Mirada, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 68% | $26,727 | — |
| 39 | Taylor University Upland, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 74% | $20,836 | $37,035 |
| 40 | Bethel University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 71% | $25,225 | — |
| 41 | Neumann University Aston, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 54% | $28,753 | — |
| 42 | The King's University Southlake, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 47% | $23,878 | — |
| 43 | McCormick Theological Seminary Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 8 | — | — | — |
| 44 | Trinity International University - Illinois Deerfield, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralPost-degree cert.Master's | 8 | 46% | $20,539 | — |
| 45 | Ozark Christian College Joplin, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 64% | $17,334 | — |
| 46 | World Mission University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 100% | $16,598 | — |
| 47 | University of Saint Mary of the Lake Mundelein, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | — | — | — |
| 48 | Asbury Theological Seminary Wilmore, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | — | — | — |
| 49 | Calvary University Kansas City, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 7 | 52% | $13,552 | $23,330 |
| 50 | Southern Nazarene University Bethany, OKPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 51% | $19,619 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries field (CIP 39.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 32 states & territories
Where Pastoral Studies/Counseling graduates come from. Each state links to all Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-2011, Clergy, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Pastoral Studies/Counseling program often pursue careers as clergy, with additional opportunities in religious education and community service roles. The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 23,000 annual openings and a median wage of $60,820, typically requiring at least a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 39.0701
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Clergyprimary SOC 21-2011 | $60,810 | +1.0% Little or no change | ~23,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Directors, Religious Activities and Education SOC 21-2021 | $52,100 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~13,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other SOC 21-1099 | $56,730 | +4.6% About as fast as average | ~13,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Religious Workers, All Other SOC 21-2099 | $45,280 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~11,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Counselors, All Other SOC 21-1019 | $50,860 | +12.6% Much faster than average | ~7,400 | Master's degree |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1126 | $80,260 | +0.7% Little or no change | ~2,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Pastoral Studies/Counseling programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Pray and promote spirituality.
- Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
- Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
- Organize and lead regular religious services.
- Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
- Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
Tools and technology used
Other Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (CIP 39.07).
- Lay MinistryCIP 39.0705672 graduates / yr50 institutions
- Pastoral Counseling and Specialized MinistriesCIP 39.0799594 graduates / yr57 institutions
- Youth MinistryCIP 39.0702253 graduates / yr60 institutions
- Women's MinistryCIP 39.0704partial data83 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Chaplain/CIP 39.0706
Chaplaincy Studies 61 graduates / yr12 institutions - Urban MinistryCIP 39.0703partial data42 graduates / yr8 institutions
See all Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries programs →
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
Degrees include a Master's degree, Bachelor's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, and Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, writing, and critical thinking.
What kind of jobs can I get after graduation?+
Graduates can work as clergy, directors of religious activities, or community service specialists.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 23,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Pastoral Studies/Counseling?+
Pastoral Studies/Counseling is CIP 39.0701 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (CIP 39.07). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the theory and principles of pastoral care and prepares ordained clergy to provide non-clinical pastoral counseling to individuals and groups. Includes instruction in pastoral leadership, counseling psychology; crisis intervention; individual and group procedures; theological and spiritual counseling; pastoral care; and applications to specific types of ministry.
How many institutions offer Pastoral Studies/Counseling programs?+
105 U.S. institutions reported Pastoral Studies/Counseling graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 32 states & territories, awarding 1,283 credentials in the year. That is 42.9% of all Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries graduates.
How much do Pastoral Studies/Counseling graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Clergy occupation, which Pastoral Studies/Counseling most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,810 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries field report median earnings of $34,083 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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